Baby update...

I wanted to update and let you all know that Miss Haley may grace us with her presence a little sooner than we had expected!

I had a doctor's appointment today, and everything still looks great....BUT...I have already dialated to a 4. I'm not quite 36 weeks, and that is the magic number they want me to get to at least. Two weeks ago, the doctor told me that I needed to be sure that I made it to 36 weeks, and I was really surprised! He didn't even check me, so I couldn't imagine how he would know that I was probably going to go early. And...I think the midwife who checked today was just as shocked to discover that I was indeed dialated to 4cm.

So, the plan is to take it "very easy"...no mention has been made of "bedrest", but I definitely know that I have to make sure to stay off my feet more. I'm sure Katie and Luke will help me out some.

Keep us in your prayers, please. We need her to stay put for at least a week (but hopefully 2)!

Lots of love, Kelley

Railroad Days

A quick update to share pictures from this weekend...

The kids had a blast at the Lula Railroad Days Parade. Katie and Luke both rode with their teams. Brady just enjoyed it all, danced to the music, and ate a bunch of candy. Enjoy the pictures!

"CHEESE!!!!!"

Some very nice looking guy was driving Katie's float...

Ready, aim...

You can't miss Luke...Mouth wide open right in the middle of things...

Lots of love, Kelley

A fish tale...trauma...and future therapy

If I hadn't already done something to scar Luke for life, I have now...

The kids have had three fish for about a month, and they lived in one bowl. Needless to say, the water would get pretty dirty fast...so I was having to clean it a couple of times a week. Last night, we were going up to brush teeth before bed. I told them I would clean the fish water while I was up there. Katie beat me in, and said that Luke's fish was the only one still alive. Both hers and Brady's were floating belly up. I thought she handled it well, and I took them for the "funeral flush".

Luke was precious, and he stood there talking about how it was ok...and he would just share that one. It could be everybody's fish, he said. So, they are all three standing there at the sink as I start to change the water. I go to pour off some of the water before I attempt to catch his fish in the cup, and promptly POURED HIS FISH DOWN THE DRAIN RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM!!!! I've never had one swim right toward the water that was being poured off...usually they try their best to get way toward the bottom. But, this one went right in the sink. I didn't panic...it flopped in the sink a couple of times, and I went to get it with the spoon. All the while, I'm saying, "I'll get it...it's ok...let me...WHOA!!!" The thing went right into the drain and disappeared! RIGHT IN FRONT OF LUKE'S LITTLE EYES!!!

Luke stood there stunned for a minute before he burst into tears. I felt horrible, as if I even need to tell you that. I picked him up, and we both were crying. I kept telling him I was so sorry, and he (being the precious child he is) said it wasn't my fault. He finally quit crying, and then Katie started. I think the realization that they were all gone was too much. Scottie really didn't help things either by telling Luke that if we had a trial, he was sure he could get a conviction. Thanks, right?

So, I'm sure that last night will go down in the books as a sure memory for Luke. The night my mommy killed my fish right before my eyes... Oh brother!

Lots of love, Kelley

300 hits!

Wow! I can't believe we have gone over 300 hits already to our site. Katie loves to look at the number. It makes her so happy to see that people are interested in what we're up to. I wanted to stick a few new pictures in, they are too cute!

How sweet! Brady cuddled up to a big blanket and started watching Blues Clues. I was praying he would fall asleep like that so I could get his picture. Lucky for me!

Luke...the "ball man". I can't tell you how much Luke has enjoyed playing t-ball this year. He even told Scottie that he needed batting gloves. He runs ALL OVER the field for the ball, and I'll say that he moves every time the ball is hit. That means a lot as he gets older. I can definitely see him sticking with this. He says he wants to play until he's "a grown-up".

Katie's also playing and doing very well! Here she is on first base after getting a hit. She scored our only 2 runs this game! (Aren't their uniforms so cute?)

Katie asked that you add a comment for her to read if you can. I think she enjoys this site as much as I enjoy making it.

Lots of love, Kelley

What fun!

Hey again,
We've been having a great time over the last week...

First of all, I went to see Bon Jovi! They are my absolute favorite, and I can't pass an opportunity to see them in person. Here are a few pictures...

My kids at school always ask...Did Luke and Brady do anything funny? I guess I tell them stories so often that they have come to expect it. One of their favorites recently is about Brady. He has discovered that he likes to play Katie's Wii game for High School Musical Sing-It. He is absolutely precious, and he just sings into that microphone! His song just consists of "Na na na na..." which really is the beginning of one of the songs. He even dances when he sings.

Luke got new bedroom furniture. He had still been sleeping in the toddler bed, and he was very excited to get his "Pirates of the Caribbean" room. The furniture ended up being huge! It takes up almost his entire room, but it looks great. He's really enjoying it.

Have I mentioned before how much help Katie Bug is to me? Here is just an example of what a great big sister she is. We were at a birthday party, and she just got Brady up there to eat pizza with her. She's amazing. I don't tell her often enough how much I appreciate the things she does for me.

Thanks for checking in on us. It is so much fun updating for family and friends. It's also a great way for me to look back and smile. I so love my kids...

Lots of love, Kelley

Time flies...

Has it really been that long since I took the time to update??? Where does the time go? Right now, I guess it's going to ball games, ball practices, church, friends to spend the night, and LAUNDRY!!! If anyone has ideas to make laundry disappear without actually having to touch it, I'm all ears...

So...my idea for today is...

These are a few of my favorite things... (In no particular order...)

1. Hearing Katie sing
2. Luke's eyes
3. Hearing Brady say "Mommy"
4. Watching the kids play t-ball and softball, and hearing Brady say "Hit that ball!"
5. Having my hair played with
6. Hugs and Kisses
7. Feeling the new baby move
8. Grey's Anatomy
9. My wonderful husband who helps me with housework
10. Having my mom and dad closeby
11. Teaching everyday (ok...ALMOST everyday)
12. Going out to eat
13. Our Sunday School class
14. Our new preacher, his willingness to step on toes, and his sweet family
15. Wal-Mart!
16. Watching my kids hug when one is hurt or sad
17. Family vacations
18. Reading a good "trashy" novel at the beach while the waves come up on my feet
19. SHOES AND PEDICURES!!!!!
20. My life that God has so richly blessed with good health for my family.

I forced myself to stop with 20, but I think I could have continued on and on. What blessings I have been given. I only have to think of one to think of ten more. I don't thank God enough...

So...now for a few of my favorite pictures. I have new ones to put on the computer, but I haven't made it that far yet.

Nothing like a movie star, a Power Ranger, and Superman to make you smile. Hey Superman, the camera is over here!

Hair art! What a masterpiece!

Brady is teeny here, but I love the outfits and the looks on their faces.

Thanks for reading. I'll try to do better and not let weeks go by in between posts.
Lots of love, Kelley

Playmates...

Hi again...

I've been looking back through pictures, and I can't believe how much the kids just love playing with each other. I better cherish these moments now...as they grow up I'm sure they will be fewer and far between!

Is there anything kids love more than a box?

Or maybe a plastic tub?

I guess that's why they've all stayed so sick this year. They stay piled on top of each other half of the time, even when they aren't supposed to due to a virus. I've missed so many days of work that I only have 1 day left!!! Luke had strep 5 times from September to December. So, they took his tonsils out in January. He did amazingly well, and we all survived. I don't know that I have ever been that scared in all my life!

I'm sure that cold popsicle was just what his little throat needed!

I also have to vent about something that made me VERY aggravated!!!!! I was putting new pictures on my computer, and EVERY PICTURE I have made since January on my camera has disappeared from the memory card! The main thing I can think of that I'm missing is Katie's birthday. It makes me sick to know that those images are forever lost!!! It's probably better that I don't know everything else that I lost. I'd probably be scarred for life.... SO, if there are any computer people out there who can help me, I WOULD LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!!!!!

Well, thanks for checking in on us. I enjoy updating and looking back on pictures of my babies. Post a comment if you are reading. The kids would love hearing from you.

Lots of love, Kelley